While dams are now overflowing and creeks are running it appears the wet weather will continue into the spring giving farmers much needed hope that it will be a great harvest.

Last month the area of NSW in drought had fallen to its lowest level in almost a decade.

July and August’s drenching rains received across the local area helping improve conditions across the state with the Harden Shire area moving into satisfactory conditions.

NSW Primary Industries Minister, Steve Whan said the official August figures show that just 7.1 per cent of the state is in drought, down from 13.4 per cent on last month, the best figures since August 2001.

“A total of 36.5 per cent of the state is declared marginal, down from 44.1 per cent last month, while 56.4 per cent of the state is satisfactory, up from 42.5 per cent,” Mr Whan said.

“Sowing of the estimated 5.15 million hectare winter crop is well and truly completed, and experts expect that come harvest time we may see the best yields in the last 10 years.”

Mr Whan said the Central, Hume and Riverina areas moved out of drought, while parts of the Central West, Cumberland, Darling, Hume and Tablelands regions moved from marginal to satisfactory.

“As a result of the above average rainfall for July received by most areas, soil profiles have recharged, and continuing average rainfall in northern NSW provide excellent summer crop prospects for paddocks under fallow and also provide the opportunity for double cropping by growers,” he said.

“Growers are hoping to reap the benefits of skyrocketing grain prices, with worsening drought conditions in Eastern Europe, better-than-expected US wheat sales and the weaker US dollar pushing prices up for cereals and pulses.”

Unfortunately it’s not all good news with NSW expecting its worst locust plague in more than 30 years.

“The state’s experts are predicting locust hatchings to commence in the central north this month,” he said.

“Farmers and land managers need to check crop and pastures thoroughly, report sightings and hatching immediately and treat locusts when they are banding, this is the most efficient and effective way.”